LAS VEGAS – It’s only been two races in his Top Fuel career, but rookie Troy Coughlin Jr. has loved every minute of his time behind the wheel of his 10,000-horsepower SealMaster dragster thus far. While it’s never easy learning on the fly when it comes to 320 mph dragsters, Coughlin is advancing at an impressive rate.

Leaning on an experienced and talented Kalitta Motorsports team, Coughlin has already posted his first round win and went a blistering 3.696 at 326.48 mph at the most recent race in Phoenix. It’s solid early-season momentum for the class newcomer and Coughlin continues to push forward heading to Las Vegas for 18th annual DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals, March 31-April 2 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“I think we are definitely happy because we are out there,” Coughlin said. “I have learned a lot especially in terms of reaction time. I am gaining experience and knowledge driving a machine with this much power. My goal is to get my reaction time average to the low 60s and just make good runs. Just to keep it in the groove to get the best of elapsed time possible. (Crew chiefs) Connie (Kalitta), Rob (Flynn) and the whole SealMaster Toyota team puts a lot of hours into this machine in having a winning package.”

Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Alexis DeJoria (Funny Car) and Jason Line (Pro Stock) were last year’s winners of the event that will be televised on FOX Sports 1, including three hours of live finals coverage starting at 6 p.m. (ET) on Sunday. The first of two annual stops in the high-stakes city is the fourth of 24 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events during the 2017 season, and things appearing to be going according to plan for Coughlin.

He currently sits eighth place in points in the rugged Top Fuel class after earning his first career round win at the season-opener in Pomona. Coughlin knows there is plenty to learn while still trying to stay competitive and earn his first career win a class loaded with stars, but the young Columbus, Ohio native is trying to focus on just one aspect of that.

“I do not look at as a balance, (and) I am just taking it one run at a time and continue to learn,” Coughlin said. “For me, its just trying to be better each run and do whatever it takes to get win lights in this SealMaster Toyota.”

Part of that learning process is competing against the Top Fuel elite like back-to-back defending champion Antron Brown, who picked up the first of his seven wins in 2016 at Las Vegas, eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher, points leader Leah Pritchett, who already has two wins this season, Brittany Force, teammate Doug Kalitta and Steve Torrence.

But Coughlin is thankful for a strong support group that has been a trademark of Kalitta Motorsports. He can lean on the likes of Connie and Doug Kalitta, Flynn, team crew chiefs Jim Oberhofer and many others, and that combined knowledge has already provided a considerable comfort level for the 26-year-old rising star.

“What stands out the most is the camaraderie and history of Kalitta Motorsports,” Coughlin said. “It is a family, with a university type feel. Everyone has your back; it is a fun mentality with lots of great people. Just to compete with Kalitta Motorsports is a huge honor.”

Alexis DeJoria’s Funny Car win was her second in three years, but she’ll have to contend with two-time winner in 2017 Matt Hagan and defending world champ Ron Capps, a five-time Vegas winner.

Jason Line’s dominant start to last season in Pro Stock included a victory and ended with a world title. The event also features the highly-anticipated K&N Horsepower Challenge for eight top Pro Stock drivers. Greg Anderson is the defending winner, earning a $50,000 paycheck last year.

The event also features thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. After Nitro qualifying, fans can watch the spectacular Muy Caliente Racing jet dragsters sponsored by Lucas Oil. Jet cars are thrust driven vehicles propelled by jet engines with exciting pre-run flame shows.

As always, fans can interact with their favorite drivers with an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.

Fans also will want to visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2:00 and 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 31 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, April 1, at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 2.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call (800) 884-NHRA (6472) or visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult. For more information about the NHRA visit www.NHRA.com.

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DENSO SPARK PLUGS NHRA NATIONALS

WHAT:                 18th annual DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals, the fourth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in three categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock – earn points leading to 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships. The race also will feature competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Series.

WHERE:               The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas. Track is located approximately 15 miles north of downtown Las Vegas off Interstate 15.

WHEN:                 Friday through Sunday, March 31-April 2

SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, March 31 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 2 and 4:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, April 1- LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:40 and 4:05 p.m.

K&N HORSEPOWER CHALLENGE at 1:30, 4 and 5 p.m.

SUNDAY, April 2 – Pre-race ceremonies, 11:15 a.m.

MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at noon

TELEVISION:       SUNDAY, April 2, FS1 will televise three hours of live finals coverage at 6 p.m. (ET) 

2016 EVENT

WINNERS:           Antron Brown, Top Fuel; Alexis DeJoria, Funny Car; Jason Line, Pro Stock; Anderson, K&N Horsepower Challenge.

MOST VICTORIES:         John Force, 6, FC: Larry Dixon, 4, TF; Tony Schumacher, 4, TF; Antron Brown, 3, TF: Robert Hight, 3, FC; Greg Anderson, 3, PS; Jeg Coughlin, 3, PS; Kenny Bernstein, 2, TF; John Force, 2, FC; Cruz Pedregon, 2, FC; Mike Edwards, 2, PS; Erica Enders, 2,       PS; Allen Johnson, 2, PS.

MOST K&N

HORSEPOWER

CHALLENGE

VICTORIES:         Greg Anderson, 5; Kurt Johnson, 4; Jeg Coughlin, 3; Bob Glidden, 3; Warren Johnson, 3; Larry Morgan, 3; Bruce Allen, 2; Erica Enders, 2; Allen Johnson, 2; Jim Yates, 2;

TRACK  

RECORDS:            Top Fuel – 3.689 sec. by Steve Torrence, Oct. ’16 and 332.67 mph by Shawn Langdon, Oct. ’15.

                                Funny Car – 3.871 sec. by Jack Beckman, Oct. ’16 and 331.94 mph by John Force, Oct. ’16.

                                Pro Stock – 6.559 sec. and 210.28 mph by Erica Enders, Oct. ’15.

NATIONAL

RECORDS:            Top Fuel – 3.658 sec. by Leah Pritchett, Feb. ‘17, Phoenix; 332.75 mph by Spencer Massey, Aug. ’15, Brainerd, Minn.

                                Funny Car – 3.822 by Matt Hagan, Aug. ’16, Brainerd, Minn.; 335.57 mph by Hagan, May ’16, Topeka, Kan.

Pro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.;  215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May ’14, Englishtown N.J.

TICKETS:               For tickets call (800) 644-4444. Tickets also available online at www.lvms.com/tickets. ;

 Story and photos courtesy of the NHRA